Voice4Perú and Club Deportivo Dan: An Evaluation of Program Effectiveness

• In Event: Juvenile Justice Intervention Evaluations

Abstract

Voices4Perú (V4P) is a community-based organization servicing marginalized populations residing in Ventanilla, Perú, an impoverished community marked by high levels of poverty, unemployment, criminal behavior, and gang membership. V4P sponsors several initiatives designed to improve the attitudes and behaviors and to reduce involvement in gangs, violence, and drug use among the youth and adolescents of Ventanilla. The focus of this presentation is to highlight evaluation findings gathered from youth who participated in an organized soccer program, referred to as Club Deportivo Dan (CDD). During this multistage evaluation, data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and an individual, in-depth interview with adolescents, who were active participants in the program, and with community residents, who were former CDD participants.

This presentation will reveal current findings about the effectiveness of the soccer program. Qualitative accounts will be highlighted which indicate the main themes participants and former participants provided for joining the club; perceived benefits; recognition of purpose; and improvements in anti-social behaviors related to criminal involvement and gang membership.

Author

• Michael E Antonio, West Chester University